India's young batters need more time to gain red-ball experience, coach Gautam Gambhir said after his team suffered their heaviest loss by runs in test cricket as South Africa earned a 408-run win in Guwahati on Wednesday to sweep the series 2-0.

Gambhir's own coaching style also faced heavy criticism as India's batters folded for 201 or less in every innings in the two-match series, handing world test champions South Africa their first series win in the format on Indian soil since 2000.

It was India's heaviest defeat by runs in the format, eclipsing a 342-run loss to Australia in 2004.

"Four or five batters in this top eight have played literally less than 15 test matches," Gambhir told reporters.

Subscribe to CNA's Recommended Read A single handpicked story that we think you should

See Full Page